ldai_phs wrote:I talked to an Amtrak Engineer who said they all hate the new engine. He also said that they can only sell 2 cars worth of tickets yet have to carry a couple extra cars bc Union Pacific rules.

Brakes and Power can not be used at the same time (unlike P42) and the engineers are concerned that they are not nearly as safe as the P42

Beginning this month, Amtrak coach cars will begin to undergo a series of major improvements including:- Brand-new seat cushions- New carpeting- New LED reading lights- New bathroom flooring- Upgraded wainscoting and bulkhead- New curtains in Business Class cars- Redesigned galleys in the café cars

Expect to see the new interiors roll out on the following services: Northeast Regional (including trains to Springfield), Vermonter, Downeaster, Empire Service, Maple Leaf, Adirondack, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone, Springfield Shuttles, Pennsylvanian and Carolinian. In the Midwest, customers will see upgrades on the Illinois Service, Hiawatha, Missouri River Runner and Michigan Services.

in addition to the above-mentioned interior refresh for existing midwest coaches, the brand new ones have been saved from a disastrous deal and will now be built (as single-level) by siemens in california. the 88 for illinois will be shared with midwest states.

this deal had to happen because the coaches (and locomotives, in a separate order) were funded by the recovery act. the funding was due to expire this year.